Thanks to wonderful support both locally and internationally, L’Hôpital de la Communauté Haïtienne was able to provide care to thousands in the aftermath of the earthquake that destroyed much of Port-au-Prince and its surrounding areas.

In the weeks following the earthquake, HCH estimates that up to 5,000 patients received care, including 541 surgeries.  The large number of injured seeking care immediately overwhelmed this 75-bed hospital.  Many hospital workers were victims of the earthquake themselves, so the hospital was severely understaffed until medical volunteers arrived.  In addition, HCH needed to improvise its resources to create additional patient beds and operating rooms as well ensure proper sanitation.  With donations, the hospital fed patients and hospital staff even before grocery stores were opened.  Prior to the earthquake, the hospital did not provide meals to patients, but within twelve days of the earthquake, a kitchen was donated and installed to serve warm meals. 

Without the outpouring of support from donors and volunteers, the hospital would not have been able to continue operating.  Before the earthquake, the HCH collected small fees for services, but immediately following the earthquake all fees were suspended.  Even though income is not being collected, operating expenses need to be paid.  For instance, the running water consumption has increased beyond the well’s capacity, so the hospital must purchase truck loads of water, and diesel must be purchased to run generators 24 hours a day.  The regular staff is being paid and many staff members were given assistance because they had lost their homes or relatives.  It is estimated that HCH’s expenses from January 12th to February 12th totaled 160,000 US dollars, which does not include damaged equipment and equipment taken away by patients who had lost their homes (e.g., mattresses, sheets, etc).

Currently, the hospital is entering a new phase of care.   Due to the continued presence of foreign medical volunteers, many women are delivering babies and children are receiving pediatric care.  Plastic surgeons have begun procedures to revise amputations and prepare limbs for prostheses.  Within the next few weeks, medical teams will arrive to begin fitting amputees for prosthetics.